
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Launch MSRP
$800- Weight
- 470g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.80m
- Max mag.
- 0.12×
- Formula
- 12E / 8G
- Released
- 2019
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x ED
- Nano Crystal Coat
- Aperture range
- f/1.8 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 470g
- ⌀ × length
- 75.0 × 99.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.6 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.80m
- Max magnification
- 0.12× (1:8.3)
Optical character
The 85mm f/1.8 S is the sensible portrait lens of the Z line: 470g, 67mm filters and sharp from f/1.8. Twelve elements including two ED elements keep longitudinal colour fringing low, and Nikon tuned the design for smooth bokeh edges and good peripheral illumination wide open.
A multi-focusing system with stepping motors keeps the focal plane sharp at close range and focuses quickly and silently, which suits video as well as stills. The barrel is plain and light, with a control ring, an A/M switch and dust and drip resistant construction.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers find it very sharp across the frame from f/1.8, sharper at the edges than Nikon's older F-mount 85mm f/1.4 lenses, with negligible distortion and well-controlled LoCA. Autofocus is fast, quiet and accurate, and flare resistance is good.
The criticisms are mild: the bokeh is pleasant but not as soft as f/1.4 and f/1.2 designs, highlights take on a cat's-eye shape toward the corners wide open, and the polycarbonate barrel feels less premium than the price class might suggest.
Owner sentiment
Owners call it one of the best-value lenses in the Z system and a natural first portrait prime. They like how light it is for all-day events and how reliably it locks on with Eye-AF.
Complaints are few. Some wish for more background blur or a closer minimum focus than 0.8m, and a handful mention the plain styling and the lack of an L-Fn button.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Sharp corner to corner from f/1.8
- +Only 470g
- +Fast, quiet multi-focusing AF
- +Low LoCA (2 ED elements)
- +Weather resistant
Weaknesses
- −Bokeh less creamy than f/1.2-1.4 lenses
- −Cat's-eye highlights toward corners wide open
- −Plain plastic barrel
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.3
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.6
- Flare Resistance
- 8.4
- Build / Sealing
- 8.0
- Value / Size
- 9.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm |
| Category | Short Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 12 elements in 8 groups |
| Special elements | 2x ED · Nano Crystal Coat |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM, multi-focusing |
| Minimum focus | 0.80m |
| Max magnification | 0.12× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 470g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 75.0 × 99.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Launch MSRP | $800 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_85mmf18s/
- nikon.com/news/2019/0731_lens_01.htm
- photographyblog.com/news/nikkor_z_85mm_f_1_8_s_specs_price_availability
- dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikkor/Nikon-NIKKOR-Z-85mm-F18-S-mounted-on-Nikon-Z7
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_Z-mount
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S vs AF 85mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S vs 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S vs NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
- 7Artisans
AF 85mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
85mmF1.8- WT
- 452g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $299
AFRING·DC - Laowa
85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO (Nikon Z)
85mmF5.6- WT
- 314g
- FLT
- ⌀46mm
- MFD
- 0.16m
- MSRP
- $449
MFRING - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
85mmF1.2- WT
- 1,160g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.85m
- MSRP
- $2,800
AFWR


